Johnny Nelson: "Usyk Will Be Unified Cruiserweight and Heavyweight Champion"

[Ruthless-RKO]

“I think is brilliant; it’s created some intriguing fights, especially at cruiserweight,” Nelson told RingTV.com. “The problem is that there are only a few star names in there that the general public will be able to say ‘Yeah, I know him’ and that’s why it’s probably not got the attention it deserves.”

“Usyk’s a good puncher as well as a boxer,” said Nelson. “I think he’ll beat Briedis and knock him out. It’ll probably go half way through. It’ll take time for him to pepper him, get his distance.

“I think it’ll be Gassiev (and Usyk in the final). I think (Gassiev will) stop Dorticos, but it’ll be a good fight.”

However, one man clearly stands out for Nelson.

“These are intriguing fights, but it’s about levels,” said the former long-reigning titleholder before explaining. “When I first saw Usyk, he’s the guy I thought, keep an eye on him, he’s top drawer, he’s top dog.

“As soon as this tournament was announced and I knew Usyk was involved, I thought, it’s a done deal. That’s something you could have popped (down) to the betting shop straight off. It’s probably something I should have done.

“I think Usyk is a level above the lot. It doesn’t matter what the others do, this is such a great opportunity to show his skills and what he’s capable of doing. I think Usyk wins hands down. It’s his for the taking. This tournament is for him to lose. There’s nobody there that I think will touch him.”

The former cruiserweight titleholder then made an extremely bold prediction about Usyk’s future beyond the 200-pound division.

“I think this guy will end up being a unified cruiserweight, as well as a unified heavyweight champion, for quite some time,” said Nelson.

RingTV

[Ruthless-RKO]

Finally!!

Nelson has said something I have agreed with.

[jamamb]

hell prob unify vs breidis and he could definitely beat parker for the wbo but soon aj will have that belt too. i dont see him beating aj or wilder , he doesnt have the power to get there respect and isnt unhittable

if multiple belts free up then go to weak belt holders then maybe he could unify

[Ruthless-RKO]

hell prob unify vs breidis and he could definitely beat parker for the wbo but soon aj will have that belt too. i dont see him beating aj or wilder , he doesnt have the power to get there respect and isnt unhittable

if multiple belts free up then go to weak belt holders then maybe he could unify

Hearn was talking recently that AJ would have paid $1 million in sanctioning fees for his world title defences, because his Purses are so high too. But they're not looking to vacate, due to them wanting to be undisputed. Unless AJ ever gets in an unfortunate situation where the IBF order some mandatory when he may have a rematch clause (similar to Fury, Wlad, Glazkov).. bUt Hearn seems to have a good relationship with IBF.

You don't just need power to beat a HW. Usyk is a technically sound boxer. Can make AJ look silly.

[boxingknockout]

Finally!!

Nelson has said something I have agreed with.

I’m shocked that Nelson is talking about a non-Sky fighter. I assume Adam Smith will be calling Johnny into his office tomorrow...

[Ruthless-RKO]

Finally!!

Nelson has said something I have agreed with.

I’m shocked that Nelson is talking about a non-Sky fighter. I assume Adam Smith will be calling Johnny into his office tomorrow...

Usyk vs. Glowacki was on Sky.

I think they allow Nelson to speak about the 200 pounders regardless of where they appear.

[boxingknockout]

Finally!!

Nelson has said something I have agreed with.

I’m shocked that Nelson is talking about a non-Sky fighter. I assume Adam Smith will be calling Johnny into his office tomorrow...

Usyk vs. Glowacki was on Sky.

I think they allow Nelson to speak about the 200 pounders regardless of where they appear.

Good points. Maybe Sky are also in negotiation to poach the finals / semi finals? I will bet on it. Nelson does not talk unless Smith allows him to draw his metre long tongue out of Adam’s arsehole

[jamamb]

usyks skilled but imo not so tight defensively where vs the absolute best hws he can get away with the lack of power and size

[Verdi]

When he fought Joyce it was a very close fight, yet many don't see Joyce as anywhere near world class. If he can't impress against Joyce, how will he fair against the current top rated heavyweights? Or is Joyce also up there?

[jamamb]

close? i didnt think it was tbh

[jamesmcdonnell]

hell prob unify vs breidis and he could definitely beat parker for the wbo but soon aj will have that belt too. i dont see him beating aj or wilder , he doesnt have the power to get there respect and isnt unhittable

if multiple belts free up then go to weak belt holders then maybe he could unify

Hearn was talking recently that AJ would have paid $1 million in sanctioning fees for his world title defences, because his Purses are so high too. But they're not looking to vacate, due to them wanting to be undisputed. Unless AJ ever gets in an unfortunate situation where the IBF order some mandatory when he may have a rematch clause (similar to Fury, Wlad, Glazkov).. bUt Hearn seems to have a good relationship with IBF.

You don't just need power to beat a HW. Usyk is a technically sound boxer. Can make AJ look silly.

Has to be said that the sanctioning fees are a right bloody racket.

[Stuarty]

I fancy Usyk to win this tournament and unify at Cruiser maybe even pick up a strap at heavyweight depending on the lay of the land when he steps up but I can't see him ruining the roost at heavy. He doesn't have the size or the power to dominate in the top division. I'm a fan and would love to see it happen but i just can't see it. Good luck to him though. Seems a top dude

[handsofstone]

I fancy Usyk to win this tournament and unify at Cruiser maybe even pick up a strap at heavyweight depending on the lay of the land when he steps up but I can't see him ruining the roost at heavy. He doesn't have the size or the power to dominate in the top division. I'm a fan and would love to see it happen but i just can't see it. Good luck to him though. Seems a top dude

This

[boxingknockout]

I fancy Usyk to win this tournament and unify at Cruiser maybe even pick up a strap at heavyweight depending on the lay of the land when he steps up but I can't see him ruining the roost at heavy. He doesn't have the size or the power to dominate in the top division. I'm a fan and would love to see it happen but i just can't see it. Good luck to him though. Seems a top dude

This

Sorry to be ‍ but I totally agree with this

[mickey1975]

Johnny playing the long game.... Usyk will win and then be lined up for AJ on Sky PPV!

[Nightmare Roy]

Johnny playing the long game.... Usyk will win and then be lined up for AJ on Sky PPV!

100%

[asdfjkl]

Cruiser he will, but heavy? No way.

[Marlo Stanfield]

When he fought Joyce it was a very close fight, yet many don't see Joyce as anywhere near world class. If he can't impress against Joyce, how will he fair against the current top rated heavyweights? Or is Joyce also up there?

he clowned Joyce what you talking about

[jamamb]

well ppl can judge for themselves but all the judges had it 50-45 and tbh that seemed the only way you could score. joyce looked a bit lost in there, though to be fair he got a lot better from 2013 to 2016

usyk also widely beat that shw azeri whose won the worlds 3x and beat a very green joshua,

but imo the top pro hws would be too much, though i think usyks a very good cruiser and would be a better hw than the likes of parker

[boxingknockout]

well ppl can judge for themselves but all the judges had it 50-45 and tbh that seemed the only way you could score. joyce looked a bit lost in there, though to be fair he got a lot better from 2013 to 2016

usyk also widely beat that shw azeri whose won the worlds 3x and beat a very green joshua,

but imo the top pro hws would be too much, though i think usyks a very good cruiser and would be a better hw than the likes of parker

How much weight was Usyk giving away?

[Heretic]

well ppl can judge for themselves but all the judges had it 50-45 and tbh that seemed the only way you could score. joyce looked a bit lost in there, though to be fair he got a lot better from 2013 to 2016

usyk also widely beat that shw azeri whose won the worlds 3x and beat a very green joshua,

but imo the top pro hws would be too much, though i think usyks a very good cruiser and would be a better hw than the likes of parker

Usyk has great skills and great speed. Good chin and stamina too. Hes just lacking power. That will be a big problem in HW. Hard to win if opponent can just walk you down.

He was landing a lot in this fight but the opponent just didn't care.

[lillywhite14]

Johnny playing the long game.... Usyk will win and then be lined up for AJ on Sky PPV!

My thoughts exactly when seeing this thread

[punchers chance]

Is Uysk v Breidis on any TV for UK viewers?

[Stuarty]

Is Uysk v Breidis on any TV for UK viewers?

Think you can watch it on ITV player mate.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is Uysk v Breidis on any TV for UK viewers?

Think you can watch it on ITV player mate.

ITV Box Office available on the ITV Hub?